Reflecting on the close of 2018, this C. S. Lewis quote comes to mind,

“There are far better things ahead, than anything we leave behind.”

If you watch the news, follow social media, or plug into the Twitter-sphere you would think everything in our world was going to hell; that bad news is everywhere. Even the Christian news cycle seems to be loaded down with doom and despair. Indeed, 2018 has had a fair share of heartbreak and devastation.

I get nostalgic around Thanksgiving. This year finds me thinking back to my childhood on the mission field in the Middle East.

Those were dangerous times. We were evacuated three times amid gunfire and threats, my Dad was arrested in Iraq, and he was even kidnapped by Palestinians. We had to leave this missional minefield, but my parents figured out how to continue the ministry via correspondence courses.

Sad to hear that we have lost a great hero of the faith in Eugene Peterson. We will miss him for now, but will still look to the words he left behind. As the next generation attempts to navigate a loud, chaotic, and increasingly post-truth world, where culture is both pervasive and persuasive, we’d do well to point them in the direction of timeless truth for wise counsel from a respected sage.

Here are some of the most prominent Gen Z traits and the truths they need to hear.

I was recently with the youngest Megachurch pastor in America and asked him what excited and concerned him. It was interesting for him to point out that the emergence of ‘celebrity pastors’ was one of his greatest concerns. He went on to explain that the tyranny of comparison can be devastating. For churches that are in decline or stagnant this can be even more devastating. I am seeing pastors driven to grow rather than being led by the Spirit to follow His path.

There was a moment of silence as these words hovered over a room full of youth ministry leaders and experts. Thinking about assessment isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. Knowing that nearly 60% of young people who grow up in Christian churches walk away from their faith,[1] leaders need effective metrics to evaluate the spiritual health of their ministry.

I’m grateful to be working alongside incredible leaders like José Bernardo who is a Vice-President at OneHope overseeing all of our Lusophone countries. He is one of the greatest organizational leaders and strategic thinkers I have ever met. Of course, he shares our passion and vision to engage the next generation with God’s Word. This is a powerful biblical expository on the leadership principles necessary to influence and impact the next generation, especially for those who have committed to helping fulfill Vision 2030.

]]>https://robhoskins.onehope.net/9-principles-for-biblical-leadership/feed/0Grandparents taking on the role of parents (Lost generation raising the left behind generation)https://robhoskins.onehope.net/grandparents-taking-on-the-role-of-parents-lost-generation-raising-the-left-behind-generation/
https://robhoskins.onehope.net/grandparents-taking-on-the-role-of-parents-lost-generation-raising-the-left-behind-generation/#respondTue, 10 Jul 2018 13:02:00 +0000http://robhoskins.onehope.net/?p=5983

You know when you get a new car, all of a sudden you start to see the same make and model everywhere? Well, that is happening to me with all things grandparent as I look forward to becoming a granddad this summer.

A segment from the NBC news special, “One Nation Overdosed” caught my attention as it focused on grandparents faced with the reality of raising their grandchildren.

“Being the Generation Award I’m going to cut to the chase and I’m going to speak to you, the next generation, OK? I accept the responsibility as your elder,” Pratt said.

He shared 9 rules for living. While a few were throwaways to get laughs, most contained powerful, God-infused advice. Fully acknowledging that his 5-year-old son, Jack, will someday watch this speech, Chris dialed down his language while dialing up the inspiration.